The press release from Fifth Island Music for VILT, promoted the Swedish band’s upcoming tour with In Flames (also Swedes) and a new single, “The New Shadow.” VILT aspires to reach heights as a “thrash and melodic death metal band” that has “already established a unique signature style.” Within seconds of the opening guitar, I thought of Sweden’s Katatonia. Then came a lofty aspiration to inject some At The Gates, of Sweden, into the single. Alas, certainly not to the same degree of melodic death metal (labeling, uff da!) with far fewer tempo changes and redirection. Via SoundCloud (at least five other platforms are available), I listened to a second tune, “Immortality.” Nothing grabbed me here either. That is, my fictional all-Scandinavian, US metal festival would relegate VILT to the second stage. Do not despair, however, as this reviewer…long ago…saw both an emerging Slipknot and Sepultura at a festival’s second stage. Keep grinding, VILT! I listened to a third track, i.e., “D’en Bossa.” VILT became light – with atmospheric vocals (not cookie monster vocals), and created music more akin to be played as part of a soundtrack at a hip sushi café instead of club or festival setting.
We now depart Sweden for Scotland and a statement by Sixth Wonder. The press release for this band’s debut, “Prologue,” preaches about lyrics that describe human conditions and the “catharsis” of their “bold new sound where ‘djent pop’ meets cinematic fantasy.’” Awarded Scotland’s Best Metal act of 2023, I chose “Death Departed” on You Tube. Highly intrigued, I got distracted by searching for the band on Perplexity. Its summary mirrored the press release with the additional snippet that Sixth Wonder is “part of Scotland’s growing independent metal scene” with footnote five leading to the band’s presence on TikTok at @Sixth Wonder. On “Death Departed,” powerhouse vocalist Rebekah Kirk easily mixed textures between sonic heights aka “cinematic fantasy” and head banger; I think djent pop is also apt. Not Meshuggah djent… ‘Prologue’ is a five song EP available on only SoundCloud, I think. Thorn, Ropeburn, and Saboteur got my ears burning. Always great to have women in metal. I’d really like to see this band in a club setting where I would wedge myself into the front rows to witness the chunky delivery and visceral vocals of this quartet! Go Scotland!!
